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Enhanced Thermochromic Performance of VO2 Nanoparticles by Quenching Process
Senwei Wu1, Longxiao Zhou1, Bin Li1
1State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology (WUT), No. 122, Luoshi Road, Wuhan 430070, China.
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 12, 2023
Summary
This study enhances vanadium dioxide (VO2) films for smart windows by using a quenching process to improve solar energy modulation and luminous transmittance. The improved VO2 films offer better energy-saving performance for practical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Energy
Background:
- Vanadium dioxide (VO2) exhibits a metal-insulator transition (MIT) for energy-saving applications.
- Limitations in VO2 films include low solar energy modulation (ΔTsol) and luminous transmittance (Tlum).
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the performance of VO2 films for smart windows.
- To enhance solar energy modulation and luminous transmittance of VO2 films.
Main Methods:
- Regulating the surface structure of VO2 particles via a quenching process (deionized water or ethanol).
- Fabricating VO2 dispersed films using spin coating.
- Characterizing VO2 particle structure and film properties.
Main Results:
- Quenched VO2 particles retained the VO2(M) phase with surface lattice distortion, reducing aggregation.
- VO2 films quenched in water showed a 42.5% increase in ΔTsol due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR).
- VO2 films quenched in ethanol achieved 15.2% ΔTsol and 62.5% Tlum, with enhanced Tlum attributed to uniform nanoparticle dispersion.
Conclusions:
- A facile method for fabricating well-dispersed VO2 nanocomposite films was developed.
- The surface structure modification of VO2 particles significantly enhances thermochromic properties.
- This research facilitates the industrial development of VO2 thermochromic films for smart windows.
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